Saturday, December 05, 2009

What About A Welding Career

By Jess Saint Vess

The American Welding Society predicts that by 2010, the demand for skilled welders in the United States alone will be 200,000. Experts are already predicting a large shortage of manufacturing workers everywhere. Many companies have already reported they are having difficulty finding welders.

In these tough economic times, job security and demand are becoming a priority for those seeking new career opportunities. Many companies are offering scholarships, bonuses, and salaries on par with those of newly graduated engineers. It appears that newly certified welders will almost certainly enjoy guaranteed job placement.

Skilled welders are highly specialized and in extreme demand, therefore, they demand a highly competitive salary. According the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median hourly earnings of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers were $16.72 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.90 and $21.05. The lowest 10 percent had earnings of less than $9.79, while the top 10 percent earned over $22.20. The range of earnings of welders reflects the wide range of skill levels. In addition, many welders are asked to join a union, which brings benefits and security to the workforce.

It takes specialized training to learn and practice the skills needed for the various welding processess. Training for welding, soldering and brazing workers can last from a few weeks of school or on the job training for low-skilled positions to several years of combined school and on the job training. Formal training is available in high schools, vocational schools and post secondary institutions, such as vocational-technical institutes and community colleges.

Some welders become certified, a process that usually begins with enrolling in an institution, such as an independent testing lab, equipment manufacturer, or technical school. A certification is your passport to more demanding and better paying jobs. The more certificates you earn the better. A good collection of certificates, along with documented experience, lead to supervisory positions with more responsibility and higher pay.

Now is definitely the right time to grab the opportunity to become part of the large welding family. For more information on a career in welding, contact your local welding college. - 2368

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